Beneath a Highland Moon (The Highland Moon Series 1) Read online

  Roderick nodded in agreement. "Aye, 'tis true. We're dealing with a dangerous and ruthless man. It seems that for the moment, at least, our hands are tied, and we remain at his mercy."

  Jillian sat down on the settle beside the fire, and patted the seat beside her. After he joined her, she lowered her voice to barely a whisper. "I ken of someone who can help us."

  His eyebrows rose inquiringly. "Who?"

  "Kade MacLachlan."

  His mouth dropped open and he slowly shook his head in disbelief. "I'll allow that he is more than likely the most powerful laird in this part of the Highlands. And it's a well-known fact he has the full support of his clan rallying behind him. But, m'lady, just how do you intend to convince him to overthrow MacRae? He's no reason to want to involve himself in MacRae affairs."

  Jillian rose from the settle, and walked over to the window, taking a long moment before she spoke. "I'll give him a reason," she said matter-of-factly.

  "What might that be?"

  "Me."

  Roderick stared at her, complete surprise on his face. "Jillian, what are you saying?"

  "'Twas but four years ago that Kade cared a great deal for me. He even went so far as to ask my father for my hand in marriage. But, of course, Papa had already betrothed me to Innes Ramsey, who turned out to be naught more than a thief, a skirt chaser and trouble for his whole clan. After Papa found out the truth, it grieved him greatly that I was to become the wife of such a man—at his own doing. Of course he never would have said so, but I believe he was relieved when Innes was killed in that skirmish with the MacLachlans a week before we were to be wed."

  "Aye, I remember it well." He nodded. "Your father confided in me once that he had made a grave mistake in betrothing you to Innis. But still, that was some time ago." MacLachlan is most likely wed and has bairns of his own. In fact, if I recall correctly, his father wed him to a French lass, the only daughter of a wealthy merchant."

  She looked out the window, watching the rain dance across the top of the dark, gray water of the loch far below. "Aye, he wed," she said quietly, vividly remembering how—upon hearing of his marriage—she'd excused herself from the table and run to her bedchamber. Jillian had thrown herself across her bed, crying as if her heart were broken. And in truth it had been. Feigning an illness, she stayed in her bedchamber for near a week. "His wife died in childbirth two years ago—along with the wee lad she birthed."

  "Och! I had no knowledge of this," he said, drumming his fingers against the ornately carved arm of the settle. "Why didn't he come for you after the Ramsey lad was dead?"

  She shrugged. "I always assumed that by then he was already betrothed, for they wed soon after."

  Roderick nodded. "If indeed this idea you have of going to MacLachlan for help works, just how do you intend to leave Lochstorm and reach Ravenskull to speak with him?"

  "I've conceived a plan. Be ready, Roderick, for I'll need your help in order to make it work. You and Winnie are the only people I trust with our lives, and that is exactly what I'll be doing. I'll send word of what I need through Winnie. Since I'm not allowed to go down to the great hall to eat, Gordon should eventually allow her to bring food to my bedchamber. If he intends to wed me, surely he'll not let me starve to death."

  "Have a care, my lady," he said, his brow creased with worry. "Whatever decision you make, I'll stand by you. Just let me ken what you need and I'll do whatever it takes to make sure 'tis yours."

  Jillian smiled. She could always count on Roderick—just as her father had. "Aye, that I already ken, but if I do succeed in making my escape, you and the others will be left to face Gordon's rage."

  "Och, don't worry for us. We'll deal with whatever happens. At least we'll ken through it all that you're doing everything within your power to get us the help we need."

  She returned to her place on the settle and took his hand, calloused from many years of wielding a sword. "Much thanks, Roderick. But be assured that I'll not desert my people. If Kade no longer wants me and refuses to help us, I'll have no other choice than to return to Lochstorm—without Ian—and wed Gordon. I'll ask Kade to allow Ian to stay at Ravenskull. But I'll cross that bridge when I have to. Now I'm thinking that mayhap you should go. He might become angry if you stay too long and not allow Winnie to bring me my food. I can but pray he will, for I also must discuss this plan of mine with her, and besides, I'm hungry. There are many preparations yet to be made, and I've much to think about before I proceed. In order for Ian and I to have time to get to Ravenskull, our disappearance must go unnoticed for as long a time as possible. Please tell Ian that I love him. Tell him to stay strong, and that all will be well."

  "If MacRae allows no food brought to you, I'll somehow make certain you don't starve." He walked toward the door and turned around. "And I'll tell Ian what you asked me to, but I'll also tell him that he has a very brave sister."

  Tears welled up in Jillian's eyes. "Much thanks, Roderick. What will you tell Gordon about the outcome of your visit?" she asked, greatly fearing for his wellbeing.

  Roderick smiled. "The truth. That you said you had much to think about," he said grinning, as he pulled the door closed behind him.

  Jillian sighed. When she was a child, her bedchamber had been her favorite place to retreat from the hordes of people that always filled the castle. Now it'd become her prison. She gently stroked the tapestry hanging above the settle, tracing the scene of several children playing with a spotted dog. She smiled as she thought of the many months it took for she and her mother to finish it. The very next year—a week before Jillian's nineteenth birthday, her mother had died giving birth to Ian. She never blamed her brother for her mother's death and neither had her father. They both cherished him as an extension of their mother's love.

  Someone lightly tapped on the door. "Come," she said, trusting that it might be Winnie with food. Jillian hoped she'd also brought Ian along, for she was most anxious to see him.

  The door opened and Winnie entered, carrying a platter holding a trencher of stew, a couple of tarts, a bit of cheese and a goblet of spiced wine. She placed it on the table. "M'lady, I asked first thing this morn if I might bring yer meal to ye, but that man refused to allow me."

  "Please don't worry, for you've now brought me a great deal of food," she said, waving her hand over the full platter. "I'd been in hopes Ian would be with you. I'm worried about how all of this is affecting him. Tell me, Winnie, how they were able to find you and Ian. Did you hide him in the tunnels like I said?"

  Winnie shook her head, tears gathering in her eyes. "Nay, m'lady. I tried. I ken how to open the latch in the laird's bedchamber, but it wouldn't move. I heard them coming, but by then 'twas too late to do anything but hide Ian in the laird's chest. I covered him with your father's clothing and the wee fellow stayed quiet as a mouse, but they found him anyhow."

  Jillian knew how much she loved Ian. "'Tis not your fault. It's been a long time since the door has been used."

  "If I could only have gotten the panel open, he'd be safe now." Her expression suddenly clouded with anger. "MacRae wouldn't allow him to come here with me," she said, quickly shaking her head. "The lad begged to come see ye. When I left the great hall a few minutes ago with your meal, he still cried. I heard him sobbing his wee heart out all the way up the stairs."

  "Och, Winnie, how it wounds me to hear that Ian is so upset, but for the moment there is naught that I can do to make things any better for him."

  Taking Winnie by the arm, Jillian led her far away from the door and whispered, "I need your help in leaving here and I'll be taking Ian with me when I go."

  A soft gasp escaped her. "'Tis not safe, m'lady, for ye or the lad," she said, her eyes wide with fear.

  "Nay, but 'tis not safe for us here, either. If we stay, 'twill only be a matter of time before MacRae rids himself of both me and Ian. Besides, Roderick informed me that Gordon intends to make me his wife and there is no way I can let that happen."

  Winnie's hand fl
ew to her mouth. "Oh nay, m'lady," she whispered, glancing at the door. "Tell me what 'tis ye need for me to do."

  "On the morrow, when you bring me my morning meal, I intend to have all the arrangements ready to be put into place. I'll give you my instructions at that time. There'll also be important information you must give to Roderick. Be very cautious when you do. Make certain no one is hanging about, for Roderick and I have come to the conclusion that one of our own clan is helping Gordon." Jillian saw the terror clearly in the woman's eyes and placed her arm around her shoulders. "Winnie, don't fash yourself, all will be well. My intention is to seek help, and I promise that when I return I'll not be alone." Jillian hoped with all her heart that what she spoke was truth.

  Winnie nodded. "Aye, m'lady. I'll do whatever 'tis ye ask of me."

  "Good. Tell Ian I send my love, and kiss him good-night for me."

  "Aye, that I'll gladly do."

  "Much thanks for the meal. Now you must go. I don't wish to anger Gordon further by keeping you here for too long a time. He might not let you come again and all my preparation will be for naught."

  Winnie left Jillian to her meal. She sat down on the wooden chair beside the table, hungrily eating the trencher of stew. A knock sounded at the door. "Come," she said, thinking that mayhap Winnie had forgotten something. But when the door opened, 'twas Gordon MacRae who entered.

  Chapter Three

  Gordon closed the bedchamber door behind him.

  Jillian jumped up from the chair, almost knocking it over. "What is it you want?" she asked him, her voice heavy with sarcasm.

  He raised a brow. "Why would you think I'd want anything? I only wished to look upon my future bride's breathtaking beauty." He slowly approached her, until he stood less than a couple of feet away.

  Refusing to let him ken the uneasiness he caused her, she didn't back away, but stood her ground. Her first inclination at seeing him had been to dash her goblet of wine into his face, then thought better of it. Mayhap two could play at his game of pretense. "Much thanks for the meal; I was hungry," she said smiling sweetly.

  He stared at her for a moment, taken off guard by the sudden change in her attitude. Then he chuckled. "I'm much pleased to see that you did indeed give thought to what I'd asked Roderick to speak to you about. You'll be glad that you didn't stand against me, Jillian," he said, smiling. He picked up a bit of cheese from the platter and held it out, waiting for her to open her mouth.

  Jillian took it from his fingers with her teeth and ate it, all the while, barely controlling an immense urge to gag. "Please, will you not have some food?" she said, feigning a smile.

  He looked her over seductively. "I didn't come here to get a taste of your food, but a taste of you."

  A string of icy fear wound itself around Jillian's heart. Thinking fast, she came up with an idea. "Gordon," she said, shyly looking down at her feet. "If I might ask you to allow me to stay a virgin until I enter the marriage bed, I'd be most grateful. My dear mother would have wanted as much for me." Jillian had to buy herself some time.

  "A virgin, you say." He eyed her like a hungry wolf watching a hare.

  Jillian hoped that telling him she was a virgin wouldn't in some way encourage him to finish what he'd intended. She could clearly see the lust in his eyes and it made her ill. If her bluff didn't work, he'd compromise her right then and there in her own bedchamber and she could do little to stop him. No matter how much she screamed and begged, there would be no one to come to her aid—certainly not the guard posted outside her door.

  Gordon sighed loudly. "Since I've already made plans for us to be wed the day after the morrow, I'll allow you to remain a virgin until then."

  Inwardly, she sighed with relief. Jillian had no intention of being at Lochstorm the day after the morrow.

  "Given but one condition," he added.

  A wave of apprehension swept through her. "A condition? What sort of condition?"

  "I'll have a kiss from you to show me your appreciation for giving you leave 'til then."

  "O-o-of course," she stammered, forcing a smile. If he'd but let her be, she'd gladly give him a quick kiss. In a hurry to get it over with, Jillian stepped closer to Gordon.

  Just as she was about to give him the kiss, he suddenly grabbed her. Wrapping both his arms around her until she could hardly breathe, he covered her mouth with his, and kissed her hard. His hands slowly moved down her back, and over the curve of her hips, his fingers pressing into her soft flesh.

  Fear and anger knotted inside her, as she strived to loosen his grip on her. Jillian was terrified that if she didn't somehow get him to stop, she'd no longer be able to control him. She forced herself to calm down, realizing that if she didn't, he was certain to see right through her act.

  After she finally managed to drag her mouth away from his, she said as pleasantly as she could muster, "Gordon, you promised me."

  "Aye, that I did," he said, reluctantly letting her go. "But I consider myself a fool for doing so. I'll admit, I've thought of little else since I first set eyes on you this morning."

  Wanting to quickly put some distance between them, she stepped out of his reach and wandered over to the window. "Since we're to be married so soon, will you not allow me my freedom outside of this room?" If he agreed, it would make it much easier for them to get away.

  For a moment, he studied her intently. "I think not." There was a sharp edge to his voice that made Jillian realize he didn't completely trust her.

  "I see," she said softly, making her disappointment clear, in hopes of getting him to change his mind.

  "But, once we're wed you may go where you please—upon my approval, of course."

  Fury almost choked her, but she forced herself to outwardly remain calm as she listened to Gordon speak to her as if he owned her, which Jillian planned to make absolutely certain he never did. "Then, might I at least see my brother? I do miss him so."

  He frowned. "Soon, very soon, but for now the lad must learn that I'm the one he is to listen to, and not his sister," he said, turning toward the door. "I'm afraid I must leave you for now, my dear, but I promise to return soon."

  She forced a smile on the outside, whilst inside she seethed with rage. As soon as Gordon closed the door behind him, she grabbed the goblet of spiced wine and rinsed her mouth out, hoping to purge herself of his vile taste. Jillian was now more determined than ever to rid Lochstorm of its recent infestation of vermin.

  ***

  Night blanketed the majestic hills and lush glens of the Highlands, bringing with it more rain and a sudden chill to Jillian's bedchamber. Shivering, she got out of bed and added more peat to the fire, before quickly crawling back beneath the warm covers. The fire crackled and the light from the flames leapt along the cold stone walls, whilst the wind howled through the numerous nooks and crevasses of the castle. Sinking deeper into the bed, and drawing the covers tight, Jillian closed her eyes and tried to fall asleep, but Kade kept slipping into her thoughts.

  At fifteen, Jillian and her family attended a Highland gathering. After settling in, and with much begging on her part, her mother gave her permission to go find her friend, Colina. Awed by the sight of the many colorful tents dotting the usually tranquil meadow—and not watching where she was going—she barreled right into Kade's chest.

  He grabbed her shoulders to steady her. "Lass, are you hurt?"

  "Nay," she answered him shyly casting her gaze downward.

  Kade slid his finger beneath her chin and tilted her face up to his. "Och, if 'tis not Jilly MacRae," he said, his whole face spreading into a grin that set her young heart to thumping. "You've grown up, lass, since I last set eyes on you." His gaze traveled boldly over her. His grin was slowly replaced by a look that Jillian didn't understand, but it caused a strange tingling in the pit of her stomach. He gently brushed the back of his fingers against her cheek.

  The touch of his fingers sent a warm shiver through her. She should hurry back to her family's tent, but the look
in those dark eyes of his kept her feet rooted to the ground.

  "You're such a pretty lass, Jilly. I've always thought so," he whispered, his breath hot against her face. He leaned closer, his long, black lashes lowering over his eyes as his gaze settled on her mouth.

  A quiver surged through her veins at the realization that he intended to kiss her, and Jillian knew without a doubt that she wanted him to. But just when his lips drew near to hers….

  "Kade!" a man shouted. "Where are you, lad?"

  With a sigh of regret, Kade quickly kissed her on the mouth, and dashed off. That kiss sent Jillian's head into a twirl. She couldn't believe that Kade MacLachlan, the lad who could cause any lass to swoon upon sight, had kissed her, Jilly MacRae! She didn't remember how long she stood there with her legs trembling and her hand pressed to her mouth, before hurrying off to find Colina and give her every wonderful detail.

  ***

  Jillian woke early the next morning and shoved aside the burgundy velvet window coverings. The rain had stopped and the gray water of the loch now lay calm beneath a blue sky. Sunlight spilled across the green hillsides dotted with yellow gorse and purple heather like some artist's painting.

  Beyond the courtyard, two of Gordon's men bullied John, an elderly clansman with a heart of gold. Another yanked down a piece of laundry that'd been hung to dry and tossed it into the mud, causing poor Inna to have to carry more water and to wash it again.

  Jillian seethed with rage. Her people couldn't go on like this. They were a good and kind lot. Unable to bear watching any longer, she angrily yanked the window covering closed once again and leaned her forehead against the cold stone of the castle wall. Her plan had to work. If it didn't, then Lochstorm and its people were doomed to a life under the rule of a ruthless and merciless tyrant.